SLVH Announces Malissa Strand, BSN, RN, as the DAISY Winner for Nursing Excellence!

Malissa Strand, BSN, RN, SLVH Conejos County Hospital

Malissa is holding the beautiful award with her supervisor, Adena Ross

The DAISY (TM) Award for Extraordinary Nurses became part of recognizing outstanding nurses at SLV Health in the fall of 2022. Why DAISY? Patrick Barnes woke up with some blood blisters in his mouth. A visit to the doctor revealed he had a dangerously low platelet count and he was admitted to the hospital. The diagnosis was the auto-immune disease ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura). The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died from complications of the autoimmune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) at the age of 33. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem.

Malissa has been previously nominated for this award numerous times and this is the first time she became the winner of this competitive award. 

She was nominated by a fellow employee who stated on the nomination form:

"I had a gentleman come in for problems with his cholecystectomy tube who mentioned that he had been living in his car and that his car and life vest had been stolen. He was belligerent and very rude to the nurse, but she still went above and beyond and called to get him a new vest.

The trouble is he did not have an address to deliver it to. So, Malissa called La Puente homeless shelter and got him a bed and it just so happened that it was the day before their huge Christmas party with food, games, and presents! Then she got him a ride there! So, she arranged to get him his life-saving vest, a place to stay, a ride, and even Christmas!!! It was like a Hallmark movie!"

To read more about the DAISY award, the traditions of the ceremony, the gift, and who has been nominated previously at SLVH, please visit this page.

At the surprise ceremony on February 21, 2025, at CCH, Malissa was joined by members of the committee, nurse leaders, fellow employees, and her beautiful family.

The banner travels between departments to be displayed at the winner's location before the next recipient is announced.

Malissa is the first nurse recipient at Conejos County Hospital!

Cinnamon rolls were shared during the reception as part of the DAISY tradition.